Stony Brook Medicine Hospitals Receive Perfect Scores in National LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Survey

STONY BROOK, NY, June 15, 2026 - Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Children's Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital have once again earned national recognition for advancing inclusive, equitable care, each being named an "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" for 2026 by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). All four hospitals received a perfect score of 100 on the national benchmarking survey, which evaluates healthcare organizations on non-discrimination policies, staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits, and community engagement initiatives. Nearly 750 health care facilities completed the HEI survey. Stony Brook Medicine facilities were among the 44% of participants who received the Healthcare Equality Leader designation.

"This recognition reflects the work happening every day across our hospitals to create environments where every patient feels seen, respected and supported," said William A. Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President at Stony Brook Medicine. "Delivering equitable, inclusive care means continually listening, learning and strengthening how we serve our diverse communities. We are proud to foster spaces where patients, families and employees know they belong and can access the best care with dignity and compassion."

"Being named a LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader once again highlights the ongoing work happening across our health system to advance inclusive, equitable care for LGBTQ+* patients and families," said Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. "As healthcare continues to evolve, we remain focused on expanding access, strengthening inclusive practices and ensuring every patient receives high-quality, equitable care."

Over the past year, Stony Brook Medicine's hospitals - have continued to expand and strengthen efforts to provide affirming, patient-centered care for LGBTQ+* individuals and families across Long Island. Through ongoing staff education, inclusive policies and practices, expanded specialty services, and community engagement initiatives, the health system has worked to ensure patients feel respected, represented and supported at every stage of care. Patients have access to culturally sensitive services across a wide range of specialties, including gender-affirming care, HIV prevention and treatment, adolescent care, mental health support, reproductive healthcare and specialty clinics such as the Pride Clinic and the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center. These efforts reflect an organization-wide commitment to reducing healthcare disparities, improving access and creating welcoming environments where every patient can receive compassionate, equitable care regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

"Being recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader highlights our commitment to ensuring every patient feels welcomed, respected and supported throughout their healthcare journey," said Emily Mastaler, Chief Administrative Officer of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. "We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that helps all patients feel safe, valued and cared for at every stage of their healthcare experience."

"Providing equitable, affirming care for every patient - regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - is central to who we are as a healthcare organization," said Paul Connor, Chief Administrative Officer of Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. "By continuing to listen, learn and lead with compassion, we help build stronger, more inclusive communities."

Stony Brook Medicine continues to grow its dynamic LGBTQ+* Committee, amongst all of its hospitals, to address the needs of the LGBTQ+* community, including patients, faculty, staff and trainees. The multidisciplinary group is made up of medical and behavioral health providers and trainees, nurses, students, education specialists, and representatives from Human Resources, Information Technology and hospital administration. Its mission is to review, address and affirm the specific and unique needs of LGBTQ+* individuals, as well as promote respectful and culturally sensitive care to the LGBTQ+* community.

Read the full 2026 Healthcare Equality Index here.

About Stony Brook University Hospital:

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) is Long Island's premier academic health center. With 628 beds, SBUH serves as the region's only tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook Children's Hospital and Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. SBUH also encompasses Suffolk County's only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, state-designated Burn Center, the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence, and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation's first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.

About Stony Brook Children's Hospital:

With 104 beds, Stony Brook Children's Hospital is Suffolk County's only children's hospital. Part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Children's has more than 180 pediatric specialists in 30 specialties. The hospital is Suffolk County's only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center and Level 1 Regional Pediatric Trauma Center. It is home to the nation's first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center and also offers a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Center, Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Center, Healthy Weight and Wellness Center, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, Pediatric Cardiology Program, Pediatric HIV and AIDS Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookchildrens.org.

About Stony Brook Southampton Hospital:

With 124 beds, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) is staffed by more than 280 physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals representing 48 medical specialties. A campus of Stony Brook University Hospital, SBSH offers a diverse array of clinical services, ranging from primary medical care to specialized surgical procedures, including cardiac catheterization, orthopedics and bariatrics. The sole provider of emergency care on Long Island's South Fork, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is a provisional Level III adult Trauma Center. The hospital includes The Phillips Family Cancer Center, a Heart and Stroke Center, Breast Health Center, The Center for Advanced Wound Healing, Wellness Institute, and 32 satellite care centers throughout the South Fork of Long Island. The hospital is the largest employer on the South Fork with more than 1,200 employees. To learn more, visit www.southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

About Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital:

As part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) combines the best in academic and community medicine, improving access to advanced medical care for residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island. With 70 beds, SBELIH is Suffolk County's first hospital, serving the region since 1905. SBELIH provides care to 25,000 year-round residents, expanding to more than 60,000 in the summer, and offers comprehensive healthcare services including behavioral health, medical-surgical care, orthopedics and general surgery, wound care, interventional spine and sports medicine, gastroenterology, advanced ambulatory care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, and physical therapy. SBELIH has achieved Primary Stroke Center designation from The Joint Commission, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality, timely stroke care close to home. The hospital also serves as a clinical campus and training site for Stony Brook Medicine, with its first SBELIH Psychiatry resident graduating in 2022. To learn more, visit elih.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

About The Human Rights Campaign:

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action-working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.